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Tony Collins - the first black manager in English Football League history - dies aged 94 with Sir Alex Ferguson among those paying tribute to 'pioneer'

Tony Collins, the first black manager in the English Football League, has died at the age of 94, the League Managers' Association has announced.

After a playing career with Sheffield Wednesday, York, Watford, Norwich, Torquay, Crystal Palace and Rochdale, Collins was appointed Rochdale manager in 1960.

In a seven-year spell he led them to the League Cup final in 1962, losing over two legs to Norwich, for the only major final in the club's history.

Tony Collins, pictured here in his playing days with Watford, has died at the age of 94

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson told the organisation's website: 'Tony was a true pioneer of the sport.